The best way to limit CPU usage is to run a limited number of processes. The more processes/applications an OS runs, the higher the CPU usage—resulting in aslow and choppy performance.

But if usage is high even when you don’t have many apps running, you may lower the CPU resources of that particular process by setting theprocess priority to low.

It is also possible todisable background appsor optimize OS performance to limit CPU usage.

Alright, now let’s check everything in detail!

Set Priority and Affinity

Lowering priority allows a process to use minimal system resources. On the other hand, setting affinity allows users to select the number of logical processors for that process.

Either way, it can help limit the CPU usage. But note that this also means theselected process runs slower.

Disable Startup Apps

Your system might have a bunch of applications that run when you boot into the OS. These can hog up the CPU resources, increasing the usage right from the start.

To avoid this, I recommend that youdisable unnecessary startup applications.

Adjust Windows for Best Performance

Adjusting Visual Effects to get the best appearance consumes a considerable amount of system resources.

If you have used a similar setting, I recommend reducing the Windows Animations. Here’s how:

Change Background App Permission

Background applications are another aspect that takes up significant system resources without your knowledge.

To disable the app from running in the background, you may change its advanced options.

I recommend changing permission, especially for third-party antivirus applications. These could randomly start in the background and scan your PC for suspicious files.

Pause Automatic Windows Update

As crucial as a Windows update is, theCPU usage could increaseduring the update.

Major Windows update contains numerous files that replace the current system files. Downloading and installing these files can cause high CPU usage.

This will drastically slow down your PC, especially if you have a slow CPU.

To avoid Windows updates from randomly hogging up the CPU resource, you canpause automatic Windows Update.

Lower in-game settings

If yourgame lags constantlydue to high CPU usage, the best option would be to lower in-game settings. In most cases, this should lower your CPU usage.

To lower your in-game settings, head over toGraphics, orAdvanced display settings.

Scan Using Windows Defender

Malware and suspicious applications could be running in the background which is consuming a lot of CPU resources. This could especially happen if you downloadmalicious files from the internet.

To ensure that this isn’t the case, you may scan your system using Windows Defender.

Using a Third-Party Application

Third-party applications are another excellent way to limit CPU usage. Some of these applications areBES (Battle Encoder Shirasé),Process Lasso,Process Tamer, etc.

Depending on the one you use, they provide various features like setting priority for  I/O  and memory, CPU Affinity, etc.

Most importantly, it directly allows you to limit CPU usage for a process.

Personally, I prefer Process Lasso as it provides the most features along with having a great user interface.But some of its features are premium and get disabled after a certain time.

If you’re looking for a free option, BES is also a pretty good option as most professionals recommend it.